Forks, Washington (under a near constant cover of clouds and rain)

I am not a Twilight hater. I like to think that I’ve proven that from my almost 5 (FIVE!) years of dedication to the saga*. Yes, the books aren’t perfect (but I loved Breaking Dawn far more than I loved *some* other series enders (I’m glaring at you Allegiant)). Yes, the movies are terrible terribly amazing. Yes, I think parts of the fandom are really weird. Yes, ROBSTEN kinda took the joy away from it after awhile (obviously because I’m such a hater & couldn’t stand their perfect love). And so while I try to act above it & cooler than it- and not like one of those “Twilight Fans,” I’m not. I’m basically a huge nerdy Twi-hard who only wears her Twilight Christian T-shirt around the house

and invites her perfectly normal friends (that she met on the internet because of Twilight) to sleep over and doesn’t mind when they snuggle with an Edward Cullen pillow:

That’s why I’m not ashamed to admit that when I saw this expose on Forks, Washington that my friend Marah produced, I had all the feels:

About 3 things I am positive: First, it doesn’t matter that it’s been over 5 years since I first read the books. Second, it doesn’t matter that I’d much rather spend my time writing about tons of other things I also obsess over here rather than just writing about Twilight. Third, I think there will always be a part of me, though I’m not sure how dominate that part will be, that is unconditionally and irrevocably in addicted to Twilight.

A Couple Real Quick thoughts about Forks, Washington

This video brought to mind a couple things:

1. Stephenie Meyer SAVED that town. I knew that in theory, but seeing it & hearing from the people in Forks, I was struck by what an incredible and RANDOM thing to happen to a tiny place. I bet there’s a huge portion of the population who would like nothing more than to never see anything associated with Twilight again, but Twilight SAVED it. What a weird thing to write a book, pick a place to set it in, and then be responsible for its survival. (Also.. I think Twilight fans will come for years (ME) but… eventually that is going to dry up. What then? I’m a little concerned. Do you have a back-up plan, Forks?)

I thought “Stephanie Meyer Day” was just some weird convention for people to get together and talk about how much they want to be BFFs with Stephenie, but it turns out it’s just a day in celebration of a woman who literally changed a town. That’s pretty special!

2. I want to go to Forks. Forks looks SO damn pretty & I regret not making it to Mecca in the past 5 years. But I know that one of these days I willmake it there. With Nikki of course! Isle-Esme themed bedroom for 2 please!

3. Twilight the first movie (aka the worst movie) will forever be my favorite. I can’t look at clips of that blue, foggy film without getting so sentimental. To me that’s what Forks looks like 24/7. WHEN I make it to Mecca, if there is one speck of sun, I’m asking for a refund. I want blue, foggy, misty Forks of Twilight movie #1. And if they can throw in a TGIFridays-like Margarita with Cathy Hardi, I’ll be happy for life.

And that’s how I feel! Forks, Washington- it’s on my bucket list: Yachting in the Mediterranean, making it into Fast Company’s 20 under 20 (oh crap) and Visiting Forks. That’s Normal.

Have you ever been to Forks? Did you get all the Forks feels like I did watching this clip? Do you miss ROBSTEN?

*for you newbies, That’s Normal grew out of a Twilight Site that Nikki & I started in 2008 where we made fun of Twilight and Twilight fans but loved it and them so damn much.

Going to Forks always seemed like one of those things that sounded like a good idea in theory, but would be really boring once you actually got there. But a few months ago a came across these pictures that some photographer guy took of the whole area, and it looks freaking gorgeous actually.

I made plans to visit Forks before ever becoming involved in the
Twilight Fandom and visited in Sept 2009. BEST DECISION. I actually wish that I had more time to
spend in the area, not necessarily because of the Twilight connection —
which is very fun– but mostly because the area is beautiful. Someday I
will rent a cabin on lake crescent.

Maybe someday, I’ll be brave and post some of those pictures. In the mean time, here I am in the Hoh National Rain Forest.

Colleen

Yes, the area is beautiful. I actually saw an eagle flying low – the misty fog is like an accessory

Luludee

Wow, those are beautiful! That second one looks like Bella’s cliff.

Karen

GO to Forks. Well especially the Peninsula. I went the first time because of Twilight. The second because this is one of the most beautiful areas of the world I’ve been to, and I am a well seasoned world traveller. It’s otherworldly beautiful and the outdoor activities (kayaking outside of Port Angeles) priceless. Some of the best tasting freshest food I’ve ever eaten too. Not on the kayaking trip but on the Peninsula in general. Stay at the resort in La Push. Beautiful, simple rooms right on the beach where Jacob tells Bella about the Cold Ones. The rooms don’t have tvs, but when my teenage, tv addicted son saw the view from our room, he said we don’t need tvs when we have God’s tv. My kids, who tolerate Twilight, loved the area the too. It may have helped that my son looks more than a little like Taylor and kept getting fingers pointed at him or women coming up to him and asking “Do you know who you look like?”

amyksu

I have a friend that lives in Arlington Washington. We spent a couple days in Vancouver stalking filming sites while they were filming Eclipse (saw Riley’s first scene in the movie being rehearsed!). We also spent a day to drive to Forks. It was kind of cheesy and lame so we only spent an hour there. My favorite part was (Newton’s) Outfitters store and the Twilight merchandise store (that place has EVERYTHING Twilight). But I guess the best part was the drive there. It really was a beautiful 3+ hour drive. And I had never been on a ferry before (I live in the Midwest) so that was cool, just like purple.

Colleen

YES – I went to Forks. I hate to admit, it is a ghetto. There is not even a movie theater to watch Twilight movies. – they had to go Port Angeles to see the movies. The beach at the reservation is incredibly beautiful – the surrounding area – breathtaking, the town??? Meaning the street with one stoplight – ugh. (I simply have nothing good to say….sorry) It was a spectacular drive through mountains with trees taller than you can imagine, nature everywhere – but Forks has NOTHING. It is a street….and not very pretty. (I sound terrible)

Carrie Jo Dowd

I haven’t been to Forks, but my husband promises me we’ll get there someday. (He will always indulge my book obsessions when they include travel…and usually when they don’t, too–although I’ve never been able to convince him to try the leg hitch.)

I have, however, been to Denali. Yes, the one in Alaska. I snowshoed through the Denali wilderness for a few hours, didn’t cross paths with another human (other than my husband) the whole time, and did think about Edward, Tanya, Kate, and Irina a little bit. (I didn’t blame my husband for laughing at me when I told him.)

itshowtimenikki

WAAHHHH i got a tad weepy. not gonna lie.

WHEN ARE WE GOING?!?!?!

kitkat89

Yeah, definitely plan a trip to the area, not just Forks. I live in the NW and my friends and I took a few days to visit Port Angeles and Forks (yes… we did stay in one of the twilight themed rooms in the hotel…) but we were done pretty quick. We spent the second day at the beach in La Push. There’s a ton of gorgeous scenery around, and it is fun to say you were there. Lots of photo ops!

Aloki

Yes, I’ve been to Forks and stayed in some great B&B’s. The people in town are so nice and grateful to Twilight fans. The beach is great too. Loved it.

Tigerkitten36

Go to Forks! First of All…a trip with you two going sounds EPIC…….I went in 2011 with 100 other twitards, all those ladies in one place was a blast.. I know several have gone back to do it again. Its a small town with not much to see. I did the tour and hiked in the Hoh, went to La Push. I wish I did the road trip to OR to see the movie sites…sigh…maybe next time. The beach was nice, it was cold to me since I’m on the east coast. It was a nice visit for the few days I was there.

yyw

I have the same Edward pillow! For me, It would be a hard travel because I am in south América (Venezuela)….however, I need to go to Mecca! At least once in my life time!

TiffanyRenee

You guys know I’m a Washingtonian right!? You guys need to come here. We can pile up in my car and drive to Forks! I still haven’t been either. The Pacific Northwest is seriously beautiful. Even if Forks is a bust it’s still totally worth a vaca here.

Katiebird

You know. I think I will try to go to the Pacific Northwest, namely Forks and Port Angeles in my lifetime. It’s something I just need to do. When I think about Forks, I do get this nostalgic feeling, because Twilight changed my life in the best way. While the first movie is probably the least accurate in comparison to the books, it’s is the coolest and the funniest.
Also the bluest and grayest.

Even my husband thinks that area of the country looks beautiful. He loves rain. The trip will happen for sure.

JSYK, I miss LTT and LTR sometimes. Not Robsten.

JellyBeanRainbow

I want to go to Forks since I first read Twilight. Now with the premieres out of the way, I suddenly have much more free time and I already started to talk into it my Twi-friends ( ashram Esme, let’s go in spring 2014!)

Sam

“but I loved Breaking Dawn far more than I loved *some* other series enders (I’m glaring at you Allegiant)”